Fastening installation and fastener therefor



July 1, 1941. I 2,247,975 I FASTENING INSTALLATION AND FASTENER THEREFQRG. A. TINNERMAN 2 She t-Sheet 1 Filed April 16, 1940 EEUREE A.T/NNERMANKMW y 1, 1941- G. A. TINNERMAN 7,975

FASTENING INSTALLATIONAND FASTENER THEREFOR Filed April 16, 1940 2Sheets-Sheet 2 5/50/4515 .A J/NNERMAN Patented July 1, 1941 FASTENINGINSTALLATION AND FASTENER THEREFOR George A. Tinnerman, Cleveland, Ohio,assig'nor to Tinnerman Products, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio,

a corporation of Ohio Application April 16, 1940, Serial No. 329,950

20 Claims.

This invention relates in general to improvements in clip fastenedinstallations and deals both with an improved form of clip fastenerdevice and various new applications and uses of such a clip fastener forsecuring cooperating parts in an installation or for attaching an object or article of manufacture to a structural part such as a panelmember or the like.

More particularly, the present invention is directed to an improvedfastening arrangement in which the part to which the clip is applied forsecuring purposes is necessarily or desirably provided with connectingstud means in the form of an elongated rib, or the like, or one or moreequivalent rib sections defining generally flat connecting stems orsimilar connecting stud elements. It will be understood that the variousfastening installations embodying the improved clip fastener of thepresent invention are of general utility and have a wide range andvariety of uses in that practically any part to be secured whetherplastic, metal, wood or composition material, may be expedientlyprovided with a suitable form of such connecting s'tud means, andparticularly in the manner of a connecting rib or equivalent ribsection, flat stem, or the like.

In this respect in addition to numerous advantages in manufacture andhandling, a most im- I portant problem is solved in the provision ofcertain widely used types of molded plastic parts 'With means forsecuring the same in an installation while also producing such plasticparts without mold imperfections such as shrinkage marks, porous roughspots, gas cavities, etc. For example, many parts constructed of plasticmaterial are of such form as to embody considerable width and length andyet a relatively thin thickness. In the molding of such a plastic part,therefore, only a certain size connecting stud meanswill be satisfactorysince if the connecting stud is of a thickness or diameter greater thanthe adjacent thickness of the plastic part,

generally speaking, the plastic material frequently will not flowproperly to form the connecting stud with the result that such stud willbe only partly formed, and fragile or otherwise imperfect to the extentthe entire molded plastic part is useless inasmuch as it cannot befastened properly in the manner intended. Furthermore, when such amolded plastic part of relatively thin thickness is cooled to hardenedform, if the stud is of greater diameter than such thickness, ashrinkage takes place in the area of the stud itself causing theadjacentmaterial of the plastic part to ontract and form anobjectionable dimple on the exposed finish surface thereof.

It has been found that any such mold imperfections may be avoided andthe connecting stud means on a plastic part otherwise satisfactorilyprovided so long as the diameter or thickness thereof is less or notmaterially greater than that of the thickness of the adjacent area ofthe plastic part itself. This, of course, often requires that theconnecting stud means be of very thin cross-section and in order toadapt the same for the required strength, such connecting stud means isbest provided in many cases in the manner of an elongated relativelythin rib or rib sections defining generally flat connecting studs orstems, In this respect, similar connecting stud means, of course, may bereadily provided on a wood or metal part while in the case of a sheetmetal part, an equivalent form of connecting rib or the like may beprovided by a simple tongue element which is struck out therefrom,welded, riveted or otherwise secured thereto in any suitable manner.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide variousfastening installations embodying a part having connecting stud means ofsuch character together with an improved form of clip fastener which issimple, inexpensive and particularly adapted for easy and quickapplication to secure such an installation in a most practical andeffective manner.

Another principal object of the invention is for the provision of a clipfastener comprising cooperating securing elements providing a springgripping action with such connecting,

, stud means in a manner to engage the same on opposite face portionsthereof to effect a reliable fastening installation in which the partssecured are not subject to loosening or displacement even under extremeconditions of shock, vibratory motion, jarring effects and the like.

A more specific object of the invention contemplates the provision ofsuch a clip fastener A further object of the invention is for theprovision of such clip fasteners in the manner of simple, one-piece,sheet metal devices which are cheap and inexpensive to provide-and lendthemselves to economical quantity production in that they may beproduced at relatively low cost from ordinary sheet metal strip stock,for example, with little loss or waste of material.

Further objects and advantages and other new and useful features in theconstruction, arrangement and general combination of parts of theinvention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art as adescription thereof proceeds with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, in whichlike reference characters designate like parts throughout the same, andin which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View looking from the underside of aninstallation embodying a part provided with a connecting rib assembledin a slot in a cooperating part and showing a clip fastener in positionto be applied thereto to secure such parts;

Fig. 2 is a perspective on an enlarged scale of the clip fastener per seshowing the detailed construction thereof;

Fig. 3 illustrates the' blank outline or strip section from which theclip fastener is constructed;

Fig. 4 is a top view of a completed fastener showing the blank of Fig. 3as foreshortened to provide the spaced, generally U-shaped securingelements thereof;

Fig. 5 is an end elevational view of the completed fastener showing oneform of anchoring means and cam guide surfaces provided on the spacedinner edge portions of the securing elements thereof;

Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the clip in applied fastening positionsecuring the parts of the installation shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional View of Fig. 6 showing the clip inside elevation; and,

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view of Figs. 6 and 7 showing theposition of the securing elenecting rib element provided in a supportingpart;

Fig. 16 is a top plan view of Fig. 15, and,

Fig. 17 is a sectional view of Fig. 15 taken on line H--I'l, looking inthe direction of the arrows.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view showing the clip as applied to such apocketed rib element in a supporting part and provided with means formounting thereon an object such as a wire, cable, rod, tube or the like;

Fig, 19 is a similar view showing the clip as modified to mount acooperating panel member or the like on the supporting part.

Fig. 20 is a plan view showing another form of the clip fastener asprovided with wing portions straddling a recess in a part to which acooperating part is secured by a connecting rib element or the likesimilar to the installation of Fig. 1; and,

Fig. 2l-is a transverse sectional view of Fig. 20 taken on line 2l--2llooking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now, more particularly, to Figs. 1-8 inclusive of thedrawings, one form of installation embodying the improved clip fastenerof the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1-

wherein a part P is provided with a suitable connecting stud means inthe form of a rib or rib section I and which in the case of a moldedplastic part, for example, is integrally provided on the rearward faceof such plastic part- As previously pointed out, to avoid possibleimperfections such as those due to shrinkage in the ments of the clip asapplied to the connecting rib element to secure the installation.

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view of a further embodiment of theinvention in which there is employed'generally flat connecting stud orrib sections to which the clip fastener is applied; and,

Fig. 10 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 9.

Figs. llto 13 inclusive show another form of the'invention wherein thecooperating secured parts include complementary flange portions whichtogether present a connecting rib element or the like to which the clipis applied, Fig. 11 being a vertical sectional View of such aninstallation; 4

Fig. 12 .is a plan view. of Fig. 11 showing the clip as applied tostraddle the complementary rib portions of such cooperating parts; and,

' Fig. 13 is a transverse sectional view of Fig. 12;

-Fig.14 is a. perspective showing the manner of application of the clipfastener to a pocketed connecting rib element provided in a supportingpart to which a cooperating part is tobe secured,

area of a relatively thin portion of any such plastic part incident tothe molding thereof, said connecting stud means is preferably providedin the manner of a thin rib or flange element of any desired or suitablelength to provide the required strength therein; of course, a rib ofcontinuous length is desirable wherever possible to provide for maximumstrength in 'addition to the advantageous reinforcing qualities suppliedthereby to any'plastic part, and, particularly in rigidifying the outersurface of a relatively thin part to minimize the possibility ofaccidental cracking or breaking thereof.

The cooperating supporting part A of any suitable material comprises apanel or plate-like portion which is prepared with an area for attachingthe part P thereto, such area consisting of an elongated slot 2 or thelike including one or on which an object or article is to be mounted;

or more enlarged recesses 3 of any suitable outline, preferably round,inasmuch as such openings are the easiest to provide in the molding of aplastic part or by punching or drilling any part to be secured. Saidrecesses 3 are prefer- -ably provided in part A in a predeterminedspaced relation longitudinally of said slot. 2 along the general pathwhich the part 1? extends in assembled relation therewith as shown inFig. 1, wherein the connecting rib l is received in said elongated slot2 and substantially bisects the adjacent enlarged recesses 3 thereof.

In this relation, the'part P.is firmly seated against the cooperatingpart A and these members are thereupon adapted readily to be secured bya preferred form of clip fastener, designated generally l0, Fig. 1,having spaced securing elements which' are received in the recess 3 fromthe adjacent or rearward side of part A to grip the intermediate portionof rib I on its opposite faces in securing relation with part P. A heador base defined by onev or both end portions of the clip bridges theslot 2 and bears upon the adjacent face of part A to fasten part Pthereto in the applied fastening position of the clip to complete theinstallation, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

The preferred form of clip fastener, as best seen in Fig. 2, is asimple, very inexpensive article to manufacture inasmuch as it requiresfew punching and forming operations and may be provided from arelatively small section of any suitable sheet metal, preferably springmetal such as spring steel or cold rolled steel. The clip, of course,may be formed from sheet metal sections of various outlines, but from aquantity production standpoint, is most advantageously provided from acomparatively small, generally rectangular blank obtained from ordinarysheet metal strip stock with very little loss or waste of material. Fig.3 shows such a blank or stamping as provided with a preferred form ofpunched opening or cutout area presenting spaced longitudinal sidesections II, I2, and end sections I3, I4. The blank is bent into thegeneral configuration shown in Fig. 2 in a manner whereby said sidesections I'I, I2, define generally U- shaped securing elements or springarms provided with the end sections I3, I4,'either or both of whichserve as the head or base portion of the clip. The cutout area of theblank shown in Fig. 3 has preferably a generally diamond shaped outlinedefining angularly disposed intersecting edges I5 and I6 on the sidesections II and I2, respectively. ,The diamond shaped cutout includesenlarged generally D-shaped openings at the approximate corners thereofproviding the desired form of shoulders I'I, I8, on

the opposing inner edges of said side sections II, I2, respectively, andextending the end walls of the cutout opening into the areas of therespective base sections I3, l4.

When the blank thus provided is bent substantially as indicated by thedotted lines in Fig. 3, said side sections are formed into intermediatebent portions defining the spaced, generally U- shaped securing elementsor bent spring arms I I, I2, of the completed clip, Fig. 2, with saidend sections providing the head or base portions I3, I4 extending fromsuch securing elements in any suitable manner, as in generally. oppositedirections. If desired, either or both of such sections I3, I4 may be ofsuch length and size as to be shaped into means for holding an articlesuch as a rod, cable or other object. The blank area is thusforeshortened to the size shown in Fig. 4 and, in this relation, viewingthe completed clip in end elevation as in Fig. 5, the opposing inneredges I5, I6 of said side sections II, I2 of the blank, as bent todefine said U-shaped securing elements or spring arms, present inclinedcam or guide surfaces which are preferably designed to appear in themanner of an inverted substantial V-shape tapering outwardly in thedirection opposite the head or base of the clip defined by the endsections I3, I4.

Also in this bent configuration of the side sections II, I2 to providethe spaced generally U- shaped securing elements or bent spring arms,the shoulders I'I, I8, Fig. 5, define anchoring means on the opposinginner edge portions thereof in the form of substantial teeth suitablyspaced from the base portions I3, I4, of the clip in the approximatearea of the, apex of said V-shaped cam or guide surfaces I5, I6; Saidteeth I'I, I8, thus provided, are rigidly disposed on the inner edgeportions'of the U-shaped securing elements II, I2, and present smallpointed edges adapted to engage opposite faces of a connecting rib, studor the like applied therebetween. The generally U-shaped securingelements or spring arms II, I2 of the completed clip are adapted to flexor yield edgewise under force by reason of the cut- .out or openingtherebetween and thus have a resilient spring gripping action which isof exceptional intensity due to the bent configuration of said securingelements. Accordingly, under the force of such resilient spring grippingaction of the securing elements II, I2, the teeth II, I8, on the inneredge portions thereof are adapted for a pronounced biting action undertension on opposite faces of a connecting rib element or the likeapplied in' the space between the inner edges I5, I6 thereof, it beingunderstood, of course, that the thickness of said rib element or thelike is at leastslightly greater than the space between such teeth I1,I8, in the normal untensioned relation of the securing elements I I, I2of the completed clip as shown in Fig. 5.

Such biting engagement of the teeth I'I, I8, of course, provides arigid, positive locking action in fastening position in a manner wherebythe clip cannot become dislodged or even readily removed. In the event areadily removable arrangement for the clip is desired, the elementsdefining the teeth H are provided in the manner in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, itwill be understood on referring to the installation of Figs. 1, 6, 7 and8, that the clip is applied to the enlarged recess 3 in supporting partA with the spaced generally U-shaped securing elements II, I2 receivingthe connecting rib I lengthwise in the space between the opposing inneredges I5, I6, of said securing elements. The height of said securingelements II, I2 is preferably less than the depth of said recess 3 to befully received therein with said teeth II, I8 engaging on opposite facesof the connecting rib I at points removed from the free end thereof. Asstated, the spacing of said. teeth in the normal untensioned relation ofthe clip, is at least slightly less than the thickness of the ribportion engaged thereby while the adjoining edges 6, Fig. 5, taperoutwardlytherefrom in presenting a somewhat wider space betwen the inneredges of the securing elements II, I2, at the leading portions thereof.Accordingly, the associated connecting rib portion is easily and quicklyreceived in the space between the inner edge portions ofsaid securingelements 'II, I2 in the initial step of applying theclip to fasteningposition, as illustrated in Fig. 1 and by the dotted line showing inFig. '7.

Thus, the clip is applied into the recess 3 with I of the clip,substantially as shown in Fig. 8. The

head or base portions l3, M of the clip thus bridge the slot 2, Fig. 6,and bear upon the ad- .iacent rearward face of part A to hold the clipin such fastening position securing the part P thereto in the completedinstallation. In this relation, the said teeth I1, I8 automaticallyprovide a pronounced positive locking biting action by digging into andbecoming embedded in the opposite face of the connecting rib as shown inFig. 8 due to the exceptional spring gripping action of the U-shapedsecuring elements or bent spring arms ll, l2 which operate in the mannerof resilient jaws, forcing said teeth at all times to tenaciously resistany movement or displacement of the clip from its proper and mosteffective final applied fastening position. As illustrated in Fig. '7,the clip is advantageously concealed in the completed installationinasmuch as there is exposed only the head or base portions thereoflying substantially flush with the adjacent face of part A securedthereby. If added resilience is desired in the securing action of theclip, said base sections l3, l4, thereof may be bent slightly inwardlytoward the securing elements ll, l2 in the untensioned configuration ofthe clip, as illustrated by the dotted line showing of Fig. 7, in whichinstance such base sections engage the adjacent face of part A withincreased resilience to serve as yieldable take-up means in a mannerwhereby the juxtaposed parts are secured under continuously effectivespring tension and any looseness therebetween is automaticallyeliminated.

Figs. 9 and 10 disclose a related form of installation in which the partP is provided with connecting stud means in the form of one or more Isubstantially flat stem or rib elements 5 receivable in a simple form ofrecess 6, in the cooperating part B from one side thereof with thegeneral form of clip fastener it] applied to the free end of such ribelement from the opposite side of said part B. It will be understoodthat such recess 6 may be of any selected outline so long it is of asize suitable for receiving the securing elements or bent spring armsll, ii! of the clip. The recess is most expediently provided in themanner of a generally round opening, as seen in Fig. 10, whereupon aclip similar in structure,

operation and use to that described with reference to Figs. 1-8inclusive is applied to the connecting rib element 6 to secure part P tocooperating part B in a completed installation, substantially in themanner aforesaid.

Figs. 11 to 13 inclusive show another form of the invention in which thecooperating secured parts C, C, include complementary flange portions20, 2|, respectively, which when assembled in substantially abuttingrelation, as best seen in Fig. 13, together form a connecting ribelement or the like for securing-such parts in a completed installation.The clip structure itself is of the same general character as thatdescribed in detail with reference to Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive with thegenerally U-shaped securing elements or bent spring arms H, I2, thereofapplied to the assembled rib portions 20, 2| in straddling relation in amanner whereby the anchoring means such as teeth l1, l8, carried therebyengage opposite faces of the rib element defined by said rib portions20, 2d. The head portions l3, Id of the clip preferably are designed tobear upon the adjacent free ends of said rib portions 20, H, to

thereby add to the effectiveness of the securing action thereof.

Figs. 14 to 19 inclusive are directed to further embodiments of theinvention wherein the connecting stud means to which the clip is appliedis provided in the nature of a pocketed rib element or the like. Such arib element is relatively simple in form and readily provided in themolding of a plastic part or by expedient spaced milling cuts in anyother part of suitable thickness to provide the desired pocketed ribelement therein. Thus, as illustrated in Fig. 14, for example, such apocketed rib element 25 provided in part D is adapted as the means bywhich a cooperating part or object may be easily and quickly securedthereto by the general form of clip fastener. l0 described withreference to Figs. 1-8 inclusive. The pocket orrecess 26 in which therib element 25 is disposed may be provided in any selected form, ofcourse, so long as the side walls thereof have a suitable spacing forreceiving the combined width of the generally U- shaped securingelements ll, l2, of the clip with the inner edge portions of suchsecuring elements engaging said rib element 25 on its opposite facessubstantially as shown in Fig. 17.

In Figs. 15 to 17 inclusive such a pocketed rib element is shownemployed as the means by clip are applied in a manner whereby theanchoring means thereon such as teeth l1, l8, engage opposite faces ofthe pocketed rib element 25 in securing the parts of the completedinstallation, substantially as in the previously described forms of theinvention.

Figs. 18 and 19 illustrate modifications in which'a pocketed rib element25 provided in such part D is employed with modified forms of clipshaving spring arm extensions which are formed on either or both of thehead or base portions l3, M, of the clip to serve as article holdingmeans. Thus, in Fig. 18 the base portion l3 of the clip is shownprovided with a spring arm extension 3| for holding a rod, wire, cable,tube or like element in-a compact, highly satisfactory securingarrangement which finds a wide and extended use in various installationssuch as in radio cabinets, for example, in which it is necessary ordesirable that the securing means of the clip be more or less concealedand take up only a minimum of space, especially where close quarters areencountered.

Likewise, in Fig. 19 there is shown provided a similar pocketedconnecting rib 26 on part D, which represents a portion of a panelbordering an opening over which it is desired to mount a cooperatingpanel member such as glass section v clip in this instance includes aspring arm exrigidifythe clip in applied fastening position and tension32 designed to engage the adjacent rearward face of said panel G in theapplied fastening. position of the clip with the generally U- shapedsecuring elements ll, I2 thereof received in the pocket 26 and engagingthe connecting rib element 25 on its opposite faces, substantially inthemanner aforesaid.

Figs. 20 and 21 show a, further embodiment of the invention in which thehead portions 13', I4 of a modified form of clip are provided withlateral wing elements 35, 36, respectively. A clip of this character isparticularly suited for use in an installation wherein a part P similarto that in Fig. 1 is provided with a connecting rib element I forsecuring the same to a cooperating part H having a simple form of slot31 of substantially uniform width throughout its length. Such a slot iscapable of receiving at any point the hump portion of the clip definedby the U shaped securing elements II, I2, thereof in applied fasteningposition, whereupon the said wing portions 35, 35 bridge the slot 31 inpart H in bearing upon the adjacent surface thereof in any lengthwiseposition in which the securing elements II, l2 of the clip are appliedto engage the rib on part P in securing the same to said part H. A clipof this character not only makes possible the provision of a simple formof elongated slot of uniform width in supporting part H, but alsoprovides a slidable connection of the secured parts which is mostadvantageous in certain installations in which adjustment thereof wouldbe necessary or desirable. The clip otherwise embodies generallyU-shaped securing elements or spring arms ll, l2, provided similar tothe clip structure described in detail with reference to Figs. 1 to 8inclusive and adapted for application and use in substantially the samemanner.

While the invention has been described in detall with specific examples,such examples are intended as illustrations only, since it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that other modifications in theconstruction; arrangement and general combination of parts thereof maybe devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all'respectsas illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the inventionbeing indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, with all changes falling within the scope, meanmg and rangeof equivalency of the claims intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a part having a body and connecting means in theform of a substantial rib, rib section, or equivalent stud element orthe like, a fastening structure comprising a sheet metal strip providedwith a base and an opening defining spaced longitudinal sectionsbordering said opening, said longitudinal sections being bentintermediate their lengths in the same general direction to one side ofsaid base and extending away-from the free end of said connecting meansin spaced edge to edge relation, said bent longitudinal sectionsreceiving said connecting means between said spaced edges in grippingengagement therewith in fastening position.

2. In combination with a part having a body and connecting means in theform of a substantial rib, rib section, or equivalent stud element orthe like, a fastening structure comprising a sheet metal strip providedwith a base and anopening defining spaced longitudinal sectionsbordering said opening, said longitudinal sections being bentintermediate their lengths in the same general direction to one side ofsaid base and extending away from the free end of said connecting meansin spaced edge to edge relation, said bent longitudinal sectionsreceiving said connecting means between said spaced edges thereof andhaving means defined by at least one of said edges anchoring the same tosaid connecting means in fastening position.

3. In combination with, a part having a body and connecting means in theform of a substantial rib, rib section, or equivalent stud element orthe like, a fastening structure comprising a sheet metal strip providedwith a base and an opening defining spaced longitudinal sectionsbordering said opening, said longitudinal sections being bentintermediate their lengths in the same general direction to one side ofsaid base and extending away from the free end of said connecting meansin spaced edge to'edge relation, said bent longitudinal sectionsreceiving said connecting means between said spaced edges and havingmeans defined by'said edges in gripping engagement with said connectingmeans in fastening position.

4. In combination with a part having a body and connecting means in theform of a substantial rib, rib section, or equivalent stud element orthe like, a fastening structure comprising a sheet metal strip having abase portion and provided with an opening defining spaced longitudinalsections bordering said opening, said longitudinal sections having bentportions intermediate their lengths extending in the same generaldirection to one side of said base portion and away'from the free end ofsaid connecting means, said bent portions defining cooperating securingelements in spaced edge to edge relation and grippingly receiving saidconnecting means between said spaced edges in fastening position.

5. In combination with a part having a body and connecting means in theform of a substantial rib, rib section, or equivalent stud'element orthe like, a fastening structure comprising a sheet metal strip having abase portion and provided with an opening defining spaced longitudinalsections bordering said opening, said longitudinal sections having bentportions intermediate their lengths extending in the same generaldirection to one side of said base portion and away from the free end ofsaid connecting means, said bent portions defining cooperating securingelements in edge to edge relation and having a space therebetweenreceiving said connecting means in fastening position, and means definedby at least one of said edges having anchoring engagement with saidconnecting means in such fastening position.

6. In combination with a part having a body and connecting means in theform of a substantial rib, rib section, or equivalent stud element orthe like, a fastening structure comprising a sheet metal strip having abase portion and provided with an opening defining spaced longitudinalsections bordering said opening, said longitudinal sections having bentportions intermediate their lengths extending in the same generaldirection to one side of said base portion and away from the free end ofsaid connecting means, said bent portions defining cooperating securingelements in edge to edge relation and having a space therebetweenreceiving said connecting means in fastening position, and means definedby said edges of the securing elements having gripping engagement withsaid connecting means in such fastening position.

'7. In combination with a part having a body and connecting means in theformof a substantial rib, rib section, or equivalent stud element or thelike, a fastening structure comprising a sheet metal strip having a baseportion and provided with an opening defining spaced longitudiinfastening position.

nal sections bordering said opening, said longitudinal sections havingbent portions intermediaway from the free end of said connecting means,

said bent portions defining cooperating securing elements in edge toedge relation and having a space therebetween receiving said connectingmeans in fastening position, and means including a shoulder on the edgeof at least one of said securing elements anchoring the same to saidconnecting means in such fastening position.

8. In combination with a part having a body and connecting means in theform of a substantial rib, rib section, or equivalent stud element orthe like, a fastening structure comprising a sheet metal strip having abase portion and provided with an opening defining spaced longitudinalsections bordering said opening, said longitudinal sections having bentportions intermediate their lengths extending in the same generaldirection to one side of said base portionand away from the free end ofsaid connecting means, said bent portions defining cooperating securingelements in edge to edge relation and having a spacetherebetween'receiving said connecting means in fastening position, andmeans including shoulders defined by said edges of the securing elementshaving gripping engagement with said connecting means in such fasteningposition.

9. In combination with a part having a body and connecting means in theform of a substantial rib, rib section, or equivalent stud element orthe like, a fastening structure comprising a sheet metal strip having abase portion and provided with an opening defining spaced longitudinal\sections bordering said opening, said longitudinal sections having bentportions intermediate their lengths extending in the same generaldirection to one side of said base portion and away from the free end ofsaid connecting means, said bent portions defining cooperating generallyU-shaped fastening, elements in edge to edge relation and having'a spacetherebetween receiving said connecting means in gripping engagementtherewith 10. In combination with a part having a body and connectingmeans in the form of a substantial rib, rib section, or equivalent studelement orv the like, a fastening structure comprising a sheet-metalstrip having a base portion and Provided with an opening defining spacedlongitudinal sections bordering said opening, said longitudinal sectionshaving bent portions inter-mediate their lengths extending in the samegeneral direction to one side of said base portionand away from the freeend of said-connecting means; said bent portions defining cooperatinggenerally U- shaped fastening elements in edge to edge relation andhaving a space therebetween receiving said connecting means in fasteningposition, and means formed on the edge of at least one of said generallyU'-shaped fastening elements anchoring the same to said connecting meansin such fastening position.

11. In combination with a part having a body and connecting means in theform of a substantial rib, rib section, or equivalent stud element orthe like, a fastening structure comprising a sheet metal strip having abase portion and provided with an opening defining spaced longitudinalsections bordering said opening, said longitudinal sections-having bentportions intermediate their lengths extending in the same generaldirection to one side of said base portion and away from the fasteningelements having gripping engagement with said connecting means in suchfastening position.

12. In combination with a part having a'body and connecting means in theform of a substan-.

tial rib, rib section, or equivalent stud element or the like, afastening structure comprising a sheet metal strip having a base portionand provided with an opening defining spaced longitudinal sectionsbordering said opening, said longitudinal sections having bent portionsintermediate their lengths extending in the same general direction toone side of said base portion and away from the free end of saidconnecting means, said bent portions defining cooperating generallyU-shaped fastening elements in edge to edge relation and having a spacetherebetween receiving said connecting means in fastening position, anda shoulder on the edge of at least one of said generally U-shapedfastening elements anchoring the same to said connecting means in suchfastening position.

13. In combination with a part having a body and connecting means in theform of a substantial. rib, rib section, or equivalent stud element orthe like, a fastening structure comprising a sheet metal strip having abase portion and provided with an opening defining spaced longitudinalsections bordering said opening, said longitudinal sections having bentportions intermediate their lengths extending in the same generaldirection to one side of said base portion and away from the free end ofsaid connecting means, said bent portions defining cooperating generallyU-shaped fastening elements in edge to edge relation and. having spacetherebetween receiving said connecting means in fastening position, andone or more substantial shoulders on the edges of said generallyU-shaped fastening elements having gripping engagement with saidconnecting means in such fastening position.

14. In combination with a. part having a body tions bordering saidopening, said longitudinal sections having bent portions intermediatetheir lengths extending in the same general direction to one side ofsaid base portion and away from the free end of said connecting means,said bent portions defining cooperating spring arms in spaced edge toedge relation and grippingly receiving said connecting means infastening position, and an inclined substantial guide surface defined bythe edge of at least one of said spring arms providing an outward taperto the space therebetween facilitating application of said spring armsto said connecting means.

15. In combination with a. part having a body and connecting means inthe form of a substantial rib, rib section, or equivalent stud elementor the like, a fastening structure comprising a sheet metal strip havinga base portion and provided with an opening defining spaced longitudinalsections,bordering said opening, said longitudinal sections having bentportions intermediate their lengths extending in the same generaldirection to one side of said base portion and away from the free end ofsaid connecting means, said bent portions defining cooperating springarms in edge to edge relation and having a space therebetween receivingsaid connecting means in fastening position, means defined by the edgeof at least one of said spring arms comprising a shoulder havinganchoring engagement with said connecting means in such fasteningposition and an inclined substantial guide surface providing an outwardtaper to the space between said spring arms facilitating applicationthereof to said connecting means.

16. In combination with a part having a body and connecting means in theform of a substantial rib, rib section, or equivalent stud element or ithe like, a fastening structure comprising a sheet metal strip having abase portion and provided with an opening defining spaced longitudinalsections borderingsaid opening, said longitudinal sections having bentportions intermediate their lengths extending in the same generaldirection to one side of said base portion and away from the free end ofsaid connecting means, said bent portions defining cooperating springarms in edge to edge relation and having a space therebetween receivingsaid connecting means in fastening position, means defined by said edgesof the spring arms comprising shoulders having gripping engagement withsaid connecting means in such fastening position and guide surfacesproviding an outward taper to thespace between said spring arm'sfacilitating application thereof to said connecting means. 17. Incombination with a part having a bod and connecting means in the form ofa substantial rib, rib section, or equivalent stud element or the like,a fastening structure comprising a sheet metal strip provided with anopening defining base portions and spaced longitudinal sectionsbordering said opening, said longitudinal sections having bent portionsintermediate their lengths extending in the same general direction toone side of said base portions and away from the free end of saidconnecting means, said bent portions defining cooperating spring arms inedge to edge relation and having a space there- 18. In combination, apart having a body and connecting means in the form of a substantialrib, rib section or equivalent stud element or the like, a supportingpart having an aperture receiving said connecting means from one sidethereof, and a fastening structure applied over the free end of saidconnecting means from the opposite side of said supporting part, saidfastening structure comprising a sheet metal strip having a base and anopening defining spaced ments in spaced edge to edge relation receivedin in the 'form of a substantial rib, rib section, or

equivalent stud element or the like, a fastening structure comprising asheet metal strip having a base and an opening defining spacedlongitudinal sections bordering said opening, said longitudinal sectionshaving bent portions intermediate their lengths-extending in the samegeneral direction to one side of said base and away from the freebetween receiving said connecting means in fastening position, and meansdefined by said edges of the spring arms comprising teeth or the likehaving gripping engagement with said connecting means and guide surfacesinclined outwardly from said teeth and defining an outward taper to thespace between said spring arms facilitating application thereof to saidconnecting means.

end of said connecting means, said bent portions defining cooperatingsecuring elements in edge to edge relation and having a spacetherebetween receiving said connecting means in gripping engagementtherewith in fastening position,

20. In combination with a part having a body and connecting means in theform of a substantial rib element or the like pocketed in a recess insaid part, a fastening structure comprising a sheet metal strip having abase and an openin the part and grippingly receiving said rib elementor'the like in the space therebetween.

GEORGE A. TINNERMAN.

